HOLDEN BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MEETING MINUTES
FEBRUARY 22, 2011
6:00PM Senior Center
Present: Chairman David White, Robert Lavigne, James Jumonville, Kimberly Ferguson
Absent: Anthony Renzoni
Others Present: Nancy Galkowski, Town Manager
Jacquie Kelly, Assistant Town Manager
James Dunn, Chairman, Finance Committee (Arrived 6:15PM)
Paul Challenger, Vice-Chairman, Finance Committee
Al Berg, Finance Committee
Joe Dolak, Finance Committee
Don Mancini, Finance Committee
Rick Bates, Finance Committee
Elizabeth Helder, Recording Secretary
Chairman Challenger opened the meeting at 6:00PM.
Presentation of the FY2012 Resource Profile
Town Manager Nancy Galkowski presented the fiscal year 2012 Resource Profile. She reported that
State Aid to the Town decreased by 5.65% and State Aid to the Wachusett Regional School District increased by 5%. The Manager said that the WRSD has received an additional 9 million in State Aid since 2005. The Town Manager reviewed the Free Cash Account. Ms. Galkowski said that she recommended that the Town employ one-quarter ($288,750) of the free cash money to create a General Stabilization Account, spend one-half of the remainder, and save the remaining half for next year. She said her ultimate goal was to build the fund to $1 million dollars. Finance Committee Chairman Dunn arrived at the meeting 6:15PM.
The municipal budget increased by 4.50% largely due to increases in health insurance costs, which have increased by 15%. Costs associated with the Worcester Regional Retirement System have increased by 16.7%. The Manager presented a five-year Capital Plan overview.
Chairman Dunn thanked the Manager for her presentation adding that she has given the Finance Committee much to discuss.
Al Berg asked for an electronic copy of the presentation and the resource profile. He said that EMS still has a capital expenditure of $170,000. The Manager explained that these were prior expenditure obligations.
Al Berg requested a list of all positions and salaries. The Manager said that these would be provided at first budget meeting.
Paul Challenger said he was pleased with the changes and new ideas presented and was impressed with the five-year plan. He asked what were the advantages to creating a Stabilization Fund? The Manager said that Stabilization money could only be spent by a 2/3rds vote at Town meeting so expenditures can be controlled. Stabilization Funds are good for the Town’s Bond Rating and borrowing purposes. Bonding agencies like to see that Town’s don’t spend every penny they have. These types of funds are also important incase of Town emergencies – for extraordinary expenses like the December 2008 Ice Storm. Creation of a Capital Planning Fund is important because the money cannot be spent on other things – only investments in the Town’s capital assets. Both accounts would be voted
at Town Meeting as a separate budget. Decreases in the WRSD budget would be discussed down the road.
Chairman Dave White said he liked the long-range capital-planning portion of the budget. Citizens will be able to have a look into the Town’s future. He said it was a good goal to not tax to the levy limit. However, after 2014, the Town will have a deficit with a potential to tax to the levy limit. He commented that the 5-year plan does not include any major building projects until 2017 with the potential construction of a DPW facility.
The Finance Committee will begin its review of the budget on February 23, 2011 at 7PM at the Senior Center.
The Finance Committee adjourned its meeting at 7:15.
Chairman White announced the Selectmen would take a five-minute recess at 7:15 prior to continuing to the regular meeting.
Chairman White reopened the meeting at 7:23PM. The Board participated in the Pledge of Allegiance.
2. Citizens’ Address
No one came forward to address the Board.
3. Request for Announcement – Agricultural Restriction
The Manager announced that the Department of Agricultural Resources (DAR) requested that the Selectmen announce the DAR’s intention to purchase the development rights on Town of Holden Parcel 136-22, approximately 14 acres under the Agricultural Restriction Program as required by MGL Chapter 7 Section 401. The parcel is located off Malden Street between Route I-190 and the West Boylston Town line. Additionally, the Department of Agriculture requested the Board waive the 120-day notice period to 60-days to allow for the sale of the property.
Sel. Lavigne asked if there was a legal issue with waiving the 120-day notice period. The Manager reported that there were not legal problems with waiving the notice period. It would just allow the DAR to purchase the property in a timelier manner.
Motion by Sel. Jumonville, seconded by Sel. Ferguson, it was VOTED 4-0 THAT PURSUANT TO MASSACHUSETT GENERAL LAWS, CHAPTER 7, SECTION 40 (I), THE TOWN OF HOLDEN BOARD OF SELECTMEN HEREBY WAIVE THE 120 DAY NOTICE REQUIREMENTS AS SET FORTH IN SAID SECTION OF THE GENERAL LAWS AND DO HEREBY APPROVE THE ACQUISITION OF A CERTAIN DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS FOR AGRICULTURAL PURPOSES UPON PARCEL 136-22 NOW OR FORMALLY OWNED BY THE TASHJIAN BY THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE WITHIN A SHORTER TIME PERIOD (60 DAYS) AS RECOMMENDED BY THE ADMINISTRATION.
Town Manager Miscellaneous
The Manager provided a snow and ice update balance as of February 21, 2012. As of February 21, 2011, the balance is a balance of $9,238. She said she had sent a letter to DPW staff from the Board declaring the appreciation of the citizen’s of Holden as requested by the Board.
The Manager reported that the Asian Longhorned Beetle Program continues to do ground surveys in the area of Chaffins for any trees showing signs of the beetle infestation. Public informational meetings will be held the week of March 14, 2011. Treatments to the affected trees will begin in April. Information regarding the home treatments can be found on www.townofholden.net. Residents within the quarantined area are encouraged to take advantage of the tree-planting program by contacting
508-852-8073.
The Manager announced that the Gale Free Library Board of Directors informed her that they have hired a new Library Director. Ms. Susan Scott from Jeffersonville NY will start as the new Director of the Gale Free Library at the end of March or beginning of April.
The Manager reviewed the budget meeting schedule.
The Manager informed the Selectmen that the Town of Rutland has requested to hold a Regional Selectmen’s meeting on March 10th, 17th or 24th. The Manager alerted the Board that they are scheduled to meet with the Finance Committee to review the budget on those dates. Chairman White asked the Town Manager to request new meeting dates of March 15th or 29th due to scheduling conflicts. If another meeting date is unavailable, the Board agreed to meet on March 24th.
5. Selectmen Subcommittees
Sel. Jumonville: Memorial Day Parade Committee: Met on February 9th to review designs. Will meet again on February 23rd. Have confirmed that the Spirit of America Band will play at the 2011 parade.
Skate Park: Committee will meet on February 8th and 15th.
Sel. Lavigne: EDC: Have not met.
Open Space Committee: Have not met.
Town Charter: Discussed implementing/inserting a recall provision in the Charter. Next meeting is 2/23.
Sel. White: Public Safety Building Committee: Last meeting was February 16. Received General Contractor and Roofing bids within the budget. Other renovations to the building will be bid out separately and the Committee will act as the General Contractor.
Mountview Study Committee: MSBA is currently reviewing the approval of the Owner’s On Site General Contractor submitted by the Committee.
Sel. Ferguson: Affordable Housing: Have not met.
6. Selectmen Miscellaneous
Sel. Jumonville: 1. Expressed concerns regarding on going water and sewer issues and suggested that the Administration should separate the Water/Sewer Division from the DPW. The Manager said she appreciated Sel. Jumonville’s concerns. There is a synergy of having the water/sewer department managed within the DPW sharing engineering and DPW employees. She said separating the Division from the DPW is not in the best interest of the Town. Sel. Lavigne said it would be an extremely monumental effort to make that break and suggested it be discussed during a Goals Meeting with the Manager. He agreed with Sel. Jumonville that something needed to be done to stop the bleeding in the department. Chairman White said that somehow the Town needed to bolster the leadership with the W/S Department so
that the Administration receives accurate reporting information from the Department to help improve the confidence of the citizens.
He said the Manager needed to make sure that she is comfortable with the strength of leadership in the Water Sewer Department to operate in a fiscally conservative manner. Sel. Jumonville said that the work in this department was going to become more complicated and these employees are stretched thin. Sel. Ferguson said she would like to meet directly with the Manager to discuss her thoughts on the subject.
Sel. Lavigne: 1. Discussed a potential water ban being issued in April from the State. The Manager said there were two mechanisms to creating a water ban. She said she was creating a presentation regarding different options to the potential water ban for discussion at the March 7th Board meeting. Chairman White inquired if the Town has the ability to challenge the State’s Water Ban Mandate. Sel. Ferguson suggested that the Board invite the DEP to a meeting.
2. Inquired about the status of the recreation online registration program? The Manager said that the Finance Committee approved the money to purchase the online registration program for the Recreation Department. However, the Finance Committee approved only the money necessary to pay the repairs to the pool from the summer of 2010.
3. Will hold a Community Outreach meeting at 5:30PM at the Senior Center on February 23rd.
7. Approval of Minutes
Motion by Sel. Ferguson, seconded by Sel. Lavigne, it was VOTED 3-0-1 WITH 1 ABSTAINED TO APPROVE THE FEBRUARY 7, 2011 INTERVIEW MEETING MINUTES. (Abstained: Jumonville.)
Motion by Sel. Ferguson, seconded by Sel. Lavigne, it was VOTED 4-0 TO APPROVE THE FEBRUARY 7, 2011 MEETING MINUTES.
Motion by Sel. Lavigne, seconded by Sel. Jumonville, it was VOTED 3-0-1 WITH 1 ABSTAINED TO APPROVE THE FEBRUARY 14, 2011 WATER/SEWER MEETING MINUTES. (ABSTAINED: Ferguson.)
8. Adjournment
Motion by Sel. Ferguson, seconded by Sel. Lavigne, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO ADJOURN THE FEBRUARY 22, 2011 MEETING AT 7:55PM.
APPROVED: March 7, 2011
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